To the Editor:

As we head to early voting and with the general election only a week from Tuesday, I want to take a minute to thank not only all of the volunteers who have been with me through this journey, but also all of the supporters who have cheered me on.

As you all know, when you’re fighting against the party establishment (and very often the media who like to put their foot on the scale) it’s often hard not to just quit or give up. Just this week, Newzjunky posted a copy of the sample ballot on their website, cutting off the Conservative line so voters couldn't see that they had a choice between two Republicans for the open Assembly seat. To their dismay, quitting is not in my DNA. Over and over again I’ve been told I can’t win; it has never been done before. My answer to that is, "How’s that been working out for you?"

Elected office was designed to be a service to the community. When elected, you take your seat, you do the best job that you can for the constituents in your area and then you go back to your life. Too many politicians today are just that, politicians concerned more about the seat that they hold than the people they represent. Putting party over people has really shown the true colors of many that I previously held in high esteem.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. I have worked very hard to make myself available to the voters so they had the opportunity to voice the concerns and issues most important to them. I’ve learned a lot along the way and for that I am eternally grateful. If elected, I will give the job 110% of myself for as long as I serve and I will continue to learn from you along the way so that I may truly be the voice of the people! If the majority of the voters choose my opponent, I will simply go back to my life, richer for having had the opportunity to give you this choice. In closing, the only thing that I ask is that you, in fact, do exercise your right to vote.

Susan M. Duffy
Candidate for Assembly 116th District
Waddington